ther so importunately that he
was at last induced to liberate the unfortunate man. Let a firm Quaker
resolve that he will not do something, and let a Governor Stuyvesant
resolve that he shall do it, and it is indeed "Greek meeting Greek."

Henry Townsend, of Jamaica, ventured to hold prayer-meetings in his
house, in defiance of the ordinance against conventicles. The governor
sentenced him to pay a fine of eight pounds and to leave the province
within six weeks, under pain of corporeal punishment. This sentence
was followed by a proclamation, fining any one fifty pounds who should
entertain a Quaker for a single night, and confiscating any vessels
which should bring a Quaker to the province.

The inhabitants of Flushing, where Townsend had formerly resided, and
where he was very highly respected, issued a noble remonstrance to
Governor Stuyvesant against this persecution of their former townsman.

The remonstrance was drawn up by the town clerk, Edward Hart, and was
signed by all the adult male inhabitants, twenty-nine in number. The
memorial said:

"We are commanded by the law of God to do good unto all men.
The law of love, peace and liberty, extending in the state
to Jews, Turks and Egyptians, forms the glory of Holland. So
love, peace and liberty extending to all in Christ Jesus,
condemn hatred, war and bondage. We desire not to offend one
of Christ's little ones under whatever form, name or title
he may appear, whether Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist or
Quaker. On the contrary we desire to do to all as we could
wish all to do to us. Should any of those people come in
love among us, we cannot lay violent hands upon them. We
must give them free ingress and egress into our houses."

This remonstrance was carried to New Amsterdam by Tobias Feake, and
presented to the governor. His indignation was roused. Feake was
arrested and committed to prison. The sheriff was sent to Flushing to
bring Hart and two of the magistrates, Farrington and Noble, to the
presence of the enraged governor. It was a fearful thing to fall into
his hands when his wrath was inflamed. They were imprisoned for some
time, and were then released upon their humbly imploring the pardon of
the governor, expressing their deep regret that they had signed the
remonstrance and promising that they would sin in that way, no more.
The town itself was punished by the prohibition in future of all tow